A question for Jens

[The Buttmonkey]

Hi everyone! This is my very first post. Let me just say how much of an effect Stratovarius has had on me in the past year of my life (I only recently discovered them).

Now, down to buisness. As far as I know only Jens can aswer my question.

What is the religion of all the different members of Stratovarius? Are they mostly christian? Athiest? I'm just curious.

Also, I hate to bring up you-know-who, Jens, but I wonder the same thing about Yngwie Malmsteen. I've always figured he was catholic, but only you would know.

If you actually answer (or anyone else knows) I'll be very happy and play Visions (Southern Cross)solo.


Auf mienersehen.

[Burning Reflection]

Hi there! Awesome that you're inquiring into the depths of stratovarius' music! Timo Tolkki was the one who wrote most of the lyrics to the songs so these are his beliefs and possibly the other band members too. It would be too easy to categorize Strato as "religious". It may have some religious messages, but it's essence to me is a combination of religion, metaphysics, ethics, introspection, overcoming adversity, environmental awareness, psychology, philosophy, and self-empowerment. It's a complex unification of these things into what I would describe as the "spiritual path"; it's a road that encompasses all views and is a never ending search for truth and meaning. Granted my words will never suffice the whole depth and totality behind the spiritual path, but hopefully that gives you a glimpse into where some of these ideas may have originated from

[The Buttmonkey]

Hi there! Awesome that you're inquiring into the depths of stratovarius' music! Timo Tolkki was the one who wrote most of the lyrics to the songs so these are his beliefs and possibly the other band members too. It would be too easy to categorize Strato as "religious". It may have some religious messages, but it's essence to me is a combination of religion, metaphysics, ethics, introspection, overcoming adversity, environmental awareness, psychology, philosophy, and self-empowerment. It's a complex unification of these things into what I would describe as the "spiritual path"; it's a road that encompasses all views and is a never ending search for truth and meaning. Granted my words will never suffice the whole depth and totality behind the spiritual path, but hopefully that gives you a glimpse into where some of these ideas may have originated from

I understand what you're saying and that's kind of what I'm asking, but I'm thinking more like the song "Fantasia" from Elements Pt. 1. The lyrics "Imagine a world with no religion". I'm all like "Is it metaspiritual mumbo-jumbo made to sound interesting or is it Tolkki's actual thoughts?" See what I'm saying?

[Rebel]

From my understanding, none of the members of the band really associate with conventional, mainstream religion.
Now, I may be wrong about Lauri and Matias. I know that Tolkki had some weird beliefs, he seems to believe in a very vague higher power along the lines of mother nature, (he also assigns it a female pronoun) and does not believe this deity seeks worship, only "Peace Love and Understanding".
Kotipelto and Jens appear to be Atheistic or Agnostic. I might guess Jorg is as well.

[Ragehead91]

My question: Who gives a shit?

[The Buttmonkey]

My question: Who gives a shit?

My answer: Me and my friend.

[lalodrums2]

My question: Who gives a shit?

+ 7

[robocop656]

Sorry dudes! They're all Jewish.

[Plisken]

Hi everyone! This is my very first post. Let me just say how much of an effect Stratovarius has had on me in the past year of my life (I only recently discovered them).

Now, down to buisness. As far as I know only Jens can aswer my question.

What is the religion of all the different members of Stratovarius? Are they mostly christian? Athiest? I'm just curious.

Also, I hate to bring up you-know-who, Jens, but I wonder the same thing about Yngwie Malmsteen. I've always figured he was catholic, but only you would know.

If you actually answer (or anyone else knows) I'll be very happy and play Visions (Southern Cross)solo.


Auf mienersehen.

This is probably what your looking for (from Jens' website)

http://www.panix.com/~jens/philosophy.par

Its pretty long but very interesting!

[mayhem-for-all]

Hi everyone! This is my very first post. Let me just say how much of an effect Stratovarius has had on me in the past year of my life (I only recently discovered them).

Now, down to buisness. As far as I know only Jens can aswer my question.

What is the religion of all the different members of Stratovarius? Are they mostly christian? Athiest? I'm just curious.

Also, I hate to bring up you-know-who, Jens, but I wonder the same thing about Yngwie Malmsteen. I've always figured he was catholic, but only you would know.

If you actually answer (or anyone else knows) I'll be very happy and play Visions (Southern Cross)solo.


Auf mienersehen.

I might also say that actual religion has a very small part in peoples lives up here in the north.
We are the least religious people in the world and that is mostly because up in here you can believe in anything and you don't have to prove it to anyone. People aren't publically religious. They believe if tehy believe. Most of us are Lutheran which I think is the most beliveable direction of Christianity even if I myself am leaning towards being agnostic.

So I would think TK and maybe Lauri could be part of the Lutheran Church (at the least the chances are that they are) but you can't see that giving any influences or impact of anykind in their lives or thoughts.

[icecab21]

so everyone but jens gives a answer

[NeonVomit]

Or maybe the guys in the band would rather just keep such matters private.

[Rebel]

Hi everyone! This is my very first post. Let me just say how much of an effect Stratovarius has had on me in the past year of my life (I only recently discovered them).

Now, down to buisness. As far as I know only Jens can aswer my question.

What is the religion of all the different members of Stratovarius? Are they mostly christian? Athiest? I'm just curious.

Also, I hate to bring up you-know-who, Jens, but I wonder the same thing about Yngwie Malmsteen. I've always figured he was catholic, but only you would know.

If you actually answer (or anyone else knows) I'll be very happy and play Visions (Southern Cross)solo.


Auf mienersehen.

I might also say that actual religion has a very small part in peoples lives up here in the north.
We are the least religious people in the world and that is mostly because up in here you can believe in anything and you don't have to prove it to anyone. People aren't publically religious. They believe if tehy believe. Most of us are Lutheran which I think is the most beliveable direction of Christianity even if I myself am leaning towards being agnostic.

So I would think TK and maybe Lauri could be part of the Lutheran Church (at the least the chances are that they are) but you can't see that giving any influences or impact of anykind in their lives or thoughts.

I take it the anglican/episcopalian church doesn't have much sway there. It's kind of a mix of lutheran and catholicism. Except it's even more "Open" than Lutheran, but the traditions are structured after the catholic church.

[Burning Reflection]

I understand what you're saying and that's kind of what I'm asking, but I'm thinking more like the song "Fantasia" from Elements Pt. 1. The lyrics "Imagine a world with no religion". I'm all like "Is it metaspiritual mumbo-jumbo made to sound interesting or is it Tolkki's actual thoughts?" See what I'm saying?

No, not mumbo-jumbo. These are real life changing and future altering beliefs. In a technical sense you might want to take a look at the lines after, "no religion, no God"...."Just Your Own Truth". No matter what religion anyone believes in, the core of the matter is that people want security in an uncertain world, and these religions offer people a sense of reference in life and an object of devotion. There is something undeniable out there: that of which we feel and when it comes down to it, truly religious people will know at the heart of the matter that they want to unleash the highest human capacities, live Godly ideals, feel secure, and discover universal truths about life and the world.

The first lines of the song give an image of our own personal kingdom that resides inside. Once we find that key, through courageous and arduous introspection, we can enter the kingdom we've created for ourselves. We would be metaphorically like that of angels and heroes where we can create a positive history that generally repeats itself and will never end. In a metaphysical sense, each generation lives to complete the incompleteness of the last that's what I think TT meant by "We've been expecting you". Instead of seeking security and answers through external sources, he is suggesting that we have the ability to find these truths for ourselves if we look deep within. We may be currently in a state of confusion and turmoil, but man does have inherent capacities to learn ways of love, truth and reason if they combat the inertia of laziness. "Once the power of love over comes the love of power, the world will know peace" - I believe a part of this quote was used in the song. Fantasia resides deep in our hearts if we learn how to feel what we have always desired: security, understanding and need to be loved. This is a self-empowering message to not follow anybody to find your own truth, and to become the kings of our lives that we were meant to be

[ggonza43]

My question: Who gives a shit?

Totally agree with you . But seriously; like many other have said, I think they should prefer to keep their believes in private. It's about everyone's choice of what do they believe; and honestly I don't see Jens coming here to talk about this. Sorry to let you down

[browneyedgirl]

Or maybe the guys in the band would rather just keep such matters private.

Nothing wrong with discussing religion or one's own beliefs, but, OTOH, its nobody else's business, either! Besides, does knowing a band members religion have anything to do with enjoying their music? I don't think so!

[ggonza43]

(Sorry for "borrowing" it )

[doc_holliday]

My question: Who gives a shit?

i do. it's a question like any other question. the guy's curious about it. why shouldn't he ask? If jens and friends don't wanna answer, so be it, they just have to say so.

[Mehida]

Don't need to be a "Jens Johansson" to avoid talking about personal stuff.
WTF, is not an inquisition, just a common question as result of curiosity, they are welcome to answer or not.